What Does a Chiropractor Do?

If you’ve never visited a chiropractor before, you may not really understand what they do. Maybe you’re wondering how chiropractic care fits into the healthcare system, or when and why someone might benefit from visiting a chiropractor. Here’s what you should know if you’ve ever wondered, “what does a chiropractor do?”

The Chiropractor Role

The chiropractor is a doctor who addresses pain in the bones and joints as a compliment to traditional medicine. According to WebMD, roughly 22 million Americans visit the chiropractor, and about 7 million go specifically for back pain relief. This pain can be the result of accidents, injuries, muscle strains and other causes. People may also visit the chiropractor for issues like headaches and pain in the arms, legs, feet and neck.

To address your pain, chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation and a range of other treatments to return the body’s musculoskeletal system to proper alignment. These adjustments are intended to restore mobility to joints that are restricted by trauma to the surrounding tissue. Sometimes, this trauma stems from an accident and in other instances, it’s a result of repetitive stress (think continuing bad posture).

How Does Chiropractic Work?

When you visit Dr. McSweeney, you can expect a comprehensive review of your medical history and a physical exam intended to help her determine whether you’d benefit from treatment. If so, your treatment may include manual adjustments, nutrition counseling, and recommendations for specific exercises and stretches. The goal with every visit is to restore the function of your body and bring pain relief.

How Effective is Chiropractic Care?

WebMD notes that research has shown chiropractic care is an effective way to treat back pain, neck pain and headaches. The pressure chiropractors apply can also help conditions like fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.